This course introduces
and describes the principles of Quality Assurance (QA) and the elements of a
formal Quality Assurance Program. The concepts presented are applicable to projects
and activities ranging from the design and construction of large and small buildings
and structures, systems, subsystems, the manufacturing of components or complete
products to providing professional services such as the implementation of site
assessments and environmental and hazardous waste investigations. As such, the
principles and concepts presented here are equally useful to all types of engineers,
constructors, architects, contractors, building inspectors, surveyors and environmental
and geological scientists. The payback of a well designed QA program includes:

delivering higher
quality products and services,

reducing the
time and money wasted in re-performing activities or correcting errors,

enhancing your
professional reputation for delivering quality work on schedule and within
budget,

minimizing crisis
management and the associated stress,

potential reduction
in loss time accidents or injuries, and

enhanced protection
from the damaging effects of lawsuits and litigation.

This course addresses
the 18 QA categories (criteria) that are formally identified in the Code of
Federal Regulations. For each of the 18 criteria, the following questions are
discussed: "What does this criterion address?", "Why is this criterion
important?", and "How is this criterion implemented?". The following
is the course outline:

Introduction

Components of a Formal QA Program

Criterion #1: Organization

Criterion #2: Quality Assurance Program

Criterion #3: Design Controls

Criterion #4: Procurement Document Control

Criterion #5: Instructions, Procedures and Drawings

Criterion #6: Document Control

Criterion #7: Control of Purchased Material, Equipment and Services

Criterion #8: Identification and Control of Materials, Parts and Components

Criterion #9: Control of Processes

Criterion #10: Inspection

Criterion #11: Test Control

Criterion #12: Control of Measuring and Test Equipment

Criterion #13: Handling, Storage and Shipping

Criterion #14: Inspection, Test and Operating Status

Criterion #15: Nonconforming Materials, Parts or Components

Criterion #16: Corrective Action

Criterion #17: Quality Assurance Records

Criterion #18: Audits, Surveillance and Managerial Controls

Conclusion

The text of this
course is approximately 25 pages long and contains 12 figures.

At the
end of this course, you will understand the purpose and benefits of a formal
Quality Assurance Program, and be familiar with the 18 components of such a
program. For each of the 18 components, you will learn: 1) what aspect of design,
construction, manufacture or site studies the component addresses, 2) why this
aspect is an important part of a Quality Assurance Program, and 3) how this
component is actually implemented. You should then be able to evaluate, for
your own projects or activities, which of these components are applicable, to
what extent or degree the component should be applied, and what benefits you
might realize if the component is properly implemented.

This
course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance
the understanding of the course materials.

* This course is acceptable to all the state PE boards except the New York State PE & PLS Board.

* If you are a registered professional land surveyor in Florida, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas or Vermont, you need to take the approved courses for that specific state under the course category "Surveying & Mapping".

NY PE & PLS: You must choose courses that are technical in nature or related to matters of laws and ethics contributing to the health and welfare of the public. NY Board does not accept courses related to office management, risk management, leadership, marketing, accounting, financial planning, real estate, and basic CAD. Specific course topics that are on the borderline and are not acceptable by the NY Board have been noted under the course description on our website.

AIA Members: You must take the courses listed under the category "AIA/CES Registered Courses" if you want us to report your Learning Units (LUs) to AIA/CES. If you take courses not registered with AIA/CES, you need to report the earned Learning Units (not qualified for HSW credits) using Self Report Form provided by AIA/CES.